2nd October 2013
Traditionally the first rains of autumn arrive in
the Iberian Peninsula during the last week in September and this year has been
no exception - 150 mm. in the first
three days. The relief of the vegetation could be heard in the “wee small hours
of dawns early light”.
So what’s left to benefit
from a drink after the long very hot and dry summer? After a poor start the Peppers and Chillis are
having a great time. Bartlett Bonnets, very hot, born and bred in
Portugal by an English Lady called ”Mrs.Bartlett”, are over 2 meters high and
are covered in small green “frilly bell like” peppers, readying themselves to turn purple, and
masses of white flowers to continue the crop well into late November.
 |
| Bartlett Bonnet just forming! |
Another
new variety grown this year is “Pavlec”, medium hot, comes from Hungary and is
excellent in “Goulash”. It has been
producing bright vermillion thin pointy chillis, about 150 mm. long, for the last
month and should continue so until December.
 |
| Lipstick |
The benefit of hot sunny days in
September has got the “Sweet Peppers” turning from green to red very early this
year. Start freezing the surplus chillis and peppers early as they will stay
much firmer when “thawed out” if taken from the early crop.
 |
| Pavlec |
Good time to plant
winter radish seeds, potatoes in a tub and lots of lettuce for Christmas.
What an amazing year for Green Figs. We have not seen many Black Figs yet. The
trees are groaning with fruit which, due to the rain, must be picked daily
before early wet rot sets in. Fig Chutney with ginger and Michelle Roux “Fig
Tarte Tatin” use up the surplus very quickly. Apples have been and still are doing
very well this year - need a search party to find any Olives so expect the
trees will need a “good talking to”. Threat
of removal seems to have an effect on next year’s crop - or is this just
another “rustic” myth.
Good time for cuttings from Fuchsias, Geraniums, Hydrangeias, Lavender and Roses. The ground is wet and still warm so they all
root before winter, giving an early start next year. Top dress fruit and
flowering trees- feed and top dress everything in a tub and strim all new weeds
and brambles, as they start to grow, after that long hot summer.
Must dash, forgot to get fuel for the strimmer-
See
you soon
Stuart.
